Aceves (3-1), recalled before the game from Triple-A Pawtucket, allowed one run, four hits and four walks. This is the right-hander's third stint with the Red Sox this season.

Nava put the Red Sox up 2-0 on a third-inning, two-run homer off Chris Archer (1-2), who gave up two runs, four hits, four walks and struck out seven over four innings. The Rays right-hander exuberantly left the mound after striking out Nava with the bases loaded to end the fourth.

Evan Longoria got the Rays within 2-1 on a solo homer in the sixth. He has gone deep in three consecutive games after homering just once over his previous 26.

Andrew Bailey, the fourth Boston reliever, pitched the ninth for his seventh save in nine opportunities. After Craig Breslow allowed a two-out double in the eighth Kelly Johnson, Koji Uehara entered and struck out Longoria.

Jacoby Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single and scored on Nava's two-out shot in the third. He also stole two bases in the game, giving him 29 for the year. Ellsbury has scored a run in 10 consecutive games, and stolen a base five straight games.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases by drawing three walks from Aceves in the second, but failed to score when Yunel Escobar hit an inning-ending grounder.

Aceves worked out of a two-on, no-out jam in the third by striking out Johnson and getting a double-play grounder by Longoria.

Rays first baseman James Loney made a strong defensive play in the first, diving to his right to take away a potential two-out RBI single from David Ortiz.

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz has resumed throwing.

However, the date for his next start has not been finalized.

Buchholz, 9-0 with a big league-best 1.71 ERA, played catch Wednesday for the first time since leaving his start last Saturday with what the team called “neck tightness.”

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Buchholz might pitch Sunday, but that Tuesday could also be an option.

“He threw the ball OK, but he still felt a little stiffness,” Farrell said. “But improved over the last time he had a ball in his hand. So, we've got to factor in what takes place today and tomorrow. The fact that he's still feeling some stiffness, we've got to factor that in.”

If Buchholz can't go on Sunday, Jon Lester would start against Baltimore. Ryan Dempster will face the Orioles on Friday night, which was originally Buchholz's next scheduled start.

Farrell expects to announce his Sunday starter on Thursday.

“If there's any question with Clay, then Jon will start,” Farrell said.

Rays left-hander David Price, on the 15-day disabled list since May 16 with a left triceps strain, will throw in a simulated game today. ... The Red Sox optioned right-handed reliever Jose De La Torre to Pawtucket. .